The word, “leprosy,” doesn't exactly conjure images of a good time or a desirable tourist attraction but the former leprosarium known as the Lazzaretto, or Mole Vanvitelliana, in Ancona is a stunning building that has become a must-see for those visiting the town. An incredibly impressive architectural gem with a rich history, it is an extraordinary sight to behold if you have managed to find a vacation rental in Le Marche.
Designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, the Lazzaretto was built between 1733 and 1743 under the patronage of Pope Clement XII. Vanvitelli has also been engaged to reorganise the entire harbour and planned the pentagonal building to fit into his grand scheme for the area. Located on an artificial, two-hectare island, it is connected to the mainland by three bridges and was used to control the arrival of goods and people to Ancona, holding those that may pose a risk for public health. It was also useful in defending the harbour from both natural and human threats.
In 1860, the Lazzaretto officially became a military fort, then a refinery for sugar from 1884 to 1947, and finally a tobacco manufacturing site. Finally, in 1990, the Municipality of Ancona became the owner of the building and it was very carefully restored to become an important cultural centre which place host to temporary exhibitions, shows and festivals. There is a calendar of specific events to keep an eye on, if you are visiting, but it is also worth dropping by to simply explore this incredible building and landmark for yourself.
If you are holidaying in Le Marche, it is definitely one of the most extraordinary buildings around. Described by art historian Amico Ricci as a building that, “surpasses in perfection all the others in Italy, and consequently is seen as a beautiful masterpiece even by foreign visitors. It grants a glimpse of how well its designer could pair magnificence and elegance with solid beauty, and of how exquisitely he could carry out the invariable rules of durability and comfort that make these factories perfectly executed.”
In 1860, the Lazzaretto officially became a military fort, then a refinery for sugar from 1884 to 1947, and finally a tobacco manufacturing site. Finally, in 1990, the Municipality of Ancona became the owner of the building and it was very carefully restored to become an important cultural centre which place host to temporary exhibitions, shows and festivals. There is a calendar of specific events to keep an eye on, if you are visiting, but it is also worth dropping by to simply explore this incredible building and landmark for yourself.
If you are holidaying in Le Marche, it is definitely one of the most extraordinary buildings around. Described by art historian Amico Ricci as a building that, “surpasses in perfection all the others in Italy, and consequently is seen as a beautiful masterpiece even by foreign visitors. It grants a glimpse of how well its designer could pair magnificence and elegance with solid beauty, and of how exquisitely he could carry out the invariable rules of durability and comfort that make these factories perfectly executed.”
Photo credit: Claudio stanco / CC BY-SA 3.0
